Shiloh Rifle Forums

My bud is selling his CPA three barrel set. 22lr, 38-55 and 45-70. What is the general opinion of the CPA rifles for silhouette ?

They don't take a back seat to anyone. Good solid well built rifles, Made in PA by some really nice people. Only drawback I might see is the twist and throat on the 38. I have one with a 15" twist badger barrel and the heaviest bullet I have tried is a 325 or so postel. It has let a ram stand on occasion but that happens. I have seen some discussion of people having some issues with the 22 rimfire but that may just be the individuals. The set would be a good investment, and cost a lot less than 3 separate rifles.
Sam

I just took possession of my CPA around September. It’s in a .22 caliber. I believe it is one of the finest rifles I’ve ever owned. Made in Dingmans Ferry Pennsylvania in a small shop by some fine people who are shooters.

Several of our perennial top-10 BPCR shooters at the Nationals use CPA rifles (Rice family, Mortiz, etc.). They win as often as anyone. Once you understand the two (2) adjustments (ejector & block-stop) and have them set correctly they are as good as any. Excellent DST, as well.

Even the heavy 360gr bullet will occasionally leave a ram standing in a 38-55 (as will a 40cal & 45cal - no magic bullet/cartridge out there). If that worries you, have your 38-55 rechambered to 38-50 (holds 10-20% more powder) or 38-70 (holds a whole bunch more powder).

All that said, I have a new Shiloh on order. Go figure.

If the price is right for you go for it.

I have three CPA's with extra barrels in .40-65, .44-75 Ballard, .44-90 bn, .44-100 Rem, .45-90 and .22 rimfire and they all shoot better than I can make them shoot. The .44-75 had a bad barrel I sent them that did not shoot for beans and it was my fault going with a low cost barrel.
The .22 out shoots all my .22 rifles I have and it does not seem fussy with what brand I use. I will say this, it likes the Norma Match and the TAC over the $23. a box of the high end ammo.

It's a fine action with a lot of options for adjusting different options you prefer.

I have three CPAs. Two dedicated .22s, one scoped and one iron, they are identical except one is checkered. My BPCR is a three barrel set, 45-70, 40-65W and 45-90. I could not be happier with them. My BPCR was made in 1997 and has only had one failure since purchased, trigger return spring, CPA sent to me in 2017 and I replaced it in a couple of minutes. I now have a spare and some additional parts, i.e. firing pins, but have never needed them. I shoot silhouettes, mid range, and creedmoor with this set. You cannot go wrong with CPA and Gail and Paul are great people and fun to be around.
With that said I really like my Shiloh in 45-90 also.

I shot this with a CPA 45-70. That is 5 shots. 200 yards off cross sticks. Ron Heilman soule sight. WW brass, PJ Creedmore bullet, 72 gr Goex 2F. If you do your part, they can shoot.

I put some teflon tape on the barrel threads to cut down on the wear of screwing them in and out.

I think you will find the 45-70 and the .22 the most useful. We have a 38-55 CPA for my wife. My opinion is it doesn't have the greatest horsepower. Is easy to shoot though and is great for practice, technique building. We also have a 38-70 barrel for my wife's gun for longer ranges.

Kirk and crew's attention to detail, fit and finish are superior though. There was a period of time when stuff was slipping out their door that shouldn't have. My original 45-70 barrel had a chamber cut so oversize, it ballooned the cartridges out, beyond specs. Depending on when they were made, you need to go over them (barrels/etc) with a fine tooth comb.

I had another one that the firing pin assembly was machined so wrong the gun wouldn't fire. They stand behind their products and are good fine folks to deal with and do a lot to support the sport.

Now that is a great group!! My bud has had the rifle and barrels for years and has never shot a match with it. How does your 22 barrel shoot ? I'm afraid at this age i can't shoot iron sights and require a scope for all rifle shooting. If my 45-70 shot that well I would be VERY pleased.

My CPA 38-55, 22 barrel set both shoot very well.

I installed the 22 barrel on the receiver, and have not switched back, and it is what I use to compete in 22 BPCR, and I shoot scope class.

My CPA 22 barrel is a Shilen "ratchet rifled" model, just like was on my DZ Arms Hepburn 22. Both shoot great. Couple of folks I know use Douglas 22 barrels on their CPAs and are very pleased with them. Bunch of good 22 barrels available. It is definitely more the Indian and not the arrow with 22s. Just find the ammo it likes and you are good to go.

I had my .22 CPA build to match the 12# weight of my Silhouette rifle mostly for off hand practice. It has a Douglas premium barrel and it just about digests any type of .22 ammo bulk or Match.
That is a mighty small hole through that wagon axel.

Kurt you have all the nice toys

My CPA .22 works great looking at the 40-65 barrel next

I will admit that I made a mistake having a two barrel switch rifle. I won't do it again and either the .22 or the .40-65 will gets it's own receiver down the line so I don't have to make a switch.